Carlsbad Caverns to Clifton: Road Trip Guide & Distance

How far is Carlsbad Caverns from Clifton?

The distance from Carlsbad Caverns to Clifton is 527.1 miles (848.3 km) as the crow flies. Clifton is located NNW of Carlsbad Caverns. By car, the driving distance is approximately 632.6 miles, taking about 12h 44min. A direct flight would take roughly 1h 34min. Both are located in United States — Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico and Clifton in Colorado.

This is a serious multi-day road trip! We strongly recommend breaking this journey up with an overnight stay to ensure you arrive safely and refreshed. Since you'll be heading mostly West, pack a good pair of sunglasses if you plan to drive during the late afternoon to avoid the harsh sun glare.

Coordinates come from public place data for Carlsbad Caverns and Clifton. The driving distance is estimated from straight-line distance with a road-factor model, so confirm the route in your navigation app. Fuel, flight, bus, and train values are planning estimates and can change by date, provider, road closures, and border rules.